The Optimist Creed (Line 1 of 10)

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Lovely Words – 4

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8 Ideas for Love in a Box

Whether you have a college student in your family or know of a military member, hopefully you have had an opportunity to put a smile on their face by sending a care package. It is that time of year where we wish our students well and send them off on their own. Whether it is their first time away from home or their fourth, a box of love always delivers happiness.

Over the years, as a military family, we have sent many care packages. I am hoping some of you have also sent and received these boxes of love. I am always looking for new ideas of what to put in my flat rate boxes.

Here are a few ideas of themed care packages:

Feel Better Soon
Lipton Soup Secret Chicken Noodle Soup
Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Tea
Cough drops with honey
A box of Kleenex

Movie Night (One of my favorites)
A few new/favorite DVD’s
Boxes of movie size candy
Popcorn

I Love You a Latte
Tins of cappuccino mixes
Instant coffee
Non-dairy creamer
A new coffee mug
Sugar packets

Stress Reliever
Yo-yos
Squishy tension ball
Gum
Tylenol
Pack this all with a lot of bubble wrap for them to pop

Boxed Up Bathroom
Toilet paper (the softer the better)
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo & conditioner
Towel
Flip-Flops

You’ve Been Framed
Calendar made specifically to include photos of family and friends
Various size, random photographs offering fun memories
Tape to hang these pictures
A digital picture frame filled with pictures

Kidding Around
Crayons and a coloring book
Bubbles
Slinky
Pez candy and dispenser
Nerf balls
Silly string

Something’s Fishy
Let’s Go Fishin’ game with batteries
Swedish fish candy
Gold Fish crackers
Gummy worms

These are my ideas. Now I want to read yours. What are some care packages you have heard about, seen, or received?

Balance in My Life

“Wisdom is your perspective on life, your sense of balance, your understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other.” Steven R. Covey

Last week was very busy for me. My children were hit hard with the flu. One was already dealing with a painful ankle injury and was told she had to miss a major Tae Kwon Do tournament she’d been excited about. Then an unexpected interview was scheduled. This all happened in one day. It took a while for me to get my breath and keep from feeling as though I was hopelessly chasing everything – trying to catch up.

I wrote my last post with the intention to follow up the next day. While I did not get this done as quickly as anticipated, the timing of the quotes could not have been better delivered. On Wednesday, I woke up to the sound of my daughter getting sick. She is on crutches and unable to place weight on the injured foot. I helped her hop to the bathroom as quick as possible. That event led to a 1 AM hair wash. Then my other daughter started getting sick right before the sun was coming up. School was definitely not a possibility, so I spent the day with them at home taking care of their needs and enjoying the time of just being with them. Teen years are finding their way into our home. We rarely have time of just being quiet and enjoying each other’s company.

In the late afternoon, I frantically began searching for pictures in preparation for an interview with “People” magazine in South Africa. The writer was kind and gentle in her line of questions. My family was quiet and patient as I did my best to raise awareness for young stroke patients and prosopagnosia. I am hopeful with this telephone interview I provided, the conversation will be helpful in offering education and hope to others who one day may experience these life-altering conditions.

I was emotionally and physically drained by the time I was able to go to bed. I slept for a second night on the floor next to my daughter’s bed. She said I was “like a Super Mom” because of how quickly I could wake up and help when she was ill.

A caretaker, a cook, a chauffeur, a Mom, an advocate whose voice is being shared around the world…. Sometimes I am excited by everything I am accomplishing. Sometimes I am exhausted from all of the roles I play. Regardless, I love the life I have created. The balance of everything I can accomplish provides gratitude for how far I have come and offers hope for what tomorrow will bring.

 

“Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man’s being.” Orison Swett Marden